Central Kalahari

Introduction

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve was founded in 1961 and is the largest conservation area in the country; at 5 million hectares (12 million acres) it is one of the largest in the world. The reserve was not founded to protect any endangered wildlife species, however to protect the San Bushmen. The aim was to provide a home for the San people in their natural environment and to ensure their survival and preserving their way of life. Located in the centre of Botswana, this reserve is characterised by extensive open plains, saltpans and ancient riverbeds. Four fossil rivers wind through the arid reserve. Among them is Deception Valley, an old watercourse that wound its way through the Northern Kalahari 16,000 years ago. Today this area is a fantastic game-rich reserve. A variety of grass, acacia, thorn trees and other drought-resistant plants cover most of Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Among the shallow valleys, tsamma melons and gemsbok cucumbers can be spotted, providers of the main source of water for animals and Bushmen during the dry season.

Game Viewing

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve offers one of the most remote safari experiences in Africa today and is renowned for its incredible wildlife viewing with huge herds of antelope followed by an abundance of predators. With the arrival of the rains during the summer months, from the end of November until April, the desert turns into a wildlife sanctuary. Short grasses sprout in the pan systems and fossil riverbeds and plains game such as springbok, gemsbok and wildebeest congregate in their hundreds and thousands here to feed. This of course attracts predators such as lion and cheetah; in fact the abundance of game at this time of the year also leads to thrilling lion and cheetah hunts to be seen. San Bushman experiences provide insights into the unique and extraordinary culture of these fascinating people.

Deception Valley Lodge

Deception Valley Lodge is a luxury lodge situated in the Kalahari of Botswana. Guests are given the opportunity to experience the Kalahari with Bushman at hand, to share their knowledge and passion and learn about their survival skills. At Deception Valley Lodge guests can experience the vastness of the Kalahari while enjoying magnificent bird life as well as spectacular star gazing. What makes Deception Valley Lodge unique is the rare opportunity to meet and explore this remarkable environment with bushman Guides of the San peoples, one of the oldest cultures in Africa. Exploring the bush on foot, while your guide will teach you of the hunting and survival skills, the culture and crafts of the San people, who over the centuries have adapted their lives to survive in the most inhospitable environment of all. The area is renowned for spectacular thunder-storms, old-fashioned villages, and friendly people.

Click here for more information for the Deception Valley Lodge

Edo's Camp

Edo's Camp is situated in a 120,000 hectare game conservancy, in the western Kalahari Desert. The camp offers privacy in a wildlife sanctuary home to six of Botswana's endangered white rhino population, as well as numerous species of plants, birds and mammals, unique to the region. Also resident are the true indigenous people of Southern Africa, the San, who provide a fascinating cultural perspective of traditional life. Edo's Camp is secluded and overlooks an active waterhole. Edo's Camp accommodates guests in luxury tents set on decks under thatch, which provide protection from the desert sun; each tent is en -suite with shower, flush toilet and bath for additional comfort. Activities include daily game drives, accompanied by professional guides. Other activities include walks with San bushman tracking white rhino on foot.

Click here for more information for the Edo's Camp

Kalahari Plains

Kalahari Plains Camp is situated in a secluded part of the diverse and productive Central Kalahari Game Reserve in the central part of Botswana. This reserve is the largest conservation area in the country and at 5 million hectares (12 million acres), one of the largest in the world. This camp offers a beautiful location within the Kalahari Desert biome, a place renowned for offering incredible wildlife viewing, including the legendary black-maned Kalahari lion. Kalahari Plains Camp offers luxury en-suite safari tents situated on raised platforms with viewing decks offering guests the opportunity to experience a sleep-out under the stars. This part of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve offers year round viewing of desert-adapted wildlife. Wildlife sightings can include the black-maned Kalahari lion, as well as one of the highest concentrations of cheetah in southern Africa.

Click here for more information for the Kalahari Plains

Tau pan

Tau Pan Camp is situated in the renowned Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The Kalahari Desert is the largest sand basin in the world, and stretches over 2 500 kilometers. The Reserve itself is the largest in the world, at 52 800 kilometres square. Tau Pan Camp is a unique safari destination and offers some of the best game viewing areas in Botswana. The camp consists of 8 desert tents under thatch, designed to blend into the area, while the main area consists of a dining room, lounge area and a viewing deck. The camp also has a swimming pool, interpretation centre/library, curio shop as well as a family room. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is famous for the migratory animals such as springbok, zebra and wildebeest in their thousands. Predators are plentiful with lions, especially the famous Kalahari black-maned lion, cheetah, leopard and jackals. Brown hyenas and wild dog are also found in the area.

Click here for more information for the Tau Pan Camp